Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to dove antigens in an adolescent

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is infrequently reported in children. This article describes a 15-year-old girl who presented with insidious onset of dyspnea and weight loss. A hamster and doves were housed in her bedroom. Chest radiographs showed bilateral nodular infiltrates. Pulmonary function tests...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical pediatrics Vol. 26; no. 4; p. 174
Main Authors Balasubramaniam, S K, O'Connell, E J, Yunginger, J W, McDougall, J C, Sachs, M I
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.1987
Subjects
Adolescent
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic - diagnosis
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic - etiology
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic - immunology
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic - pathology
Animals
Antigens - immunology
Birds - immunology
Female
Humans
Lung - immunology
Lung - pathology
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Summary:Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is infrequently reported in children. This article describes a 15-year-old girl who presented with insidious onset of dyspnea and weight loss. A hamster and doves were housed in her bedroom. Chest radiographs showed bilateral nodular infiltrates. Pulmonary function tests showed a restrictive pattern with O2 desaturation at rest. The diagnosis was substantiated by the presence of precipitating antibody to dove serum and droppings and by clinical improvement, along with marked improvement in pulmonary function test, after the doves were removed from her environment. The importance of making an early diagnosis to prevent debilitating fibrotic lung disease is emphasized. A detailed environmental history is essential.
ISSN:0009-9228
DOI:10.1177/000992288702600402